ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – After dropping its opening series, the Saint Leo softball team (2-2) evened their overall record by sweeping the Webber International Warriors (1-3), Sunday afternoon from Saints Field. Game one featured the Lions overcoming a three-run deficit in the seventh inning to pick up a 9-8, extra-innings victory. Game two saw Saint Leo put together their most convincing team effort of the season as the downed the Warriors, 5-1.
Day two of the Flagler Invitational witnessed 10 different Lions collect hits, in addition to stealing 10 bases. Junior catcher Brittany Yates led all Lions with four hits and four RBI. Meanwhile, Sarah Boyd went 3-for-6 with three hits and two RBI. Diane Gonzalez also produced as she tallied three hits with a pair of runs scored. Ana Castillo added her name to the hit list as she went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Kasey Postupack also amassed two hits and finished tied with Elysha Agen with a team-best three runs.
Game one was back-and-forth contest featuring four lead changes as well as the two team’s first extra-innings affair of the season.
The Lions failed to convert in the top half of the first inning as they stranded a pair of base runners. The Warriors took advantage of the missed opportunity as they scored one run on a pair hits to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
Still, the aggressively swinging Lions’ bunch struck back in the third when Postupack reached on a bunt single and, along with Agen, came around to score on a two-out, two-RBI single by Yates.
After Webber retook a 3-2 lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, the Lions needed their second two-run rally in the fourth inning to keep pace. Boyd, who led the inning off with a base hit came around to score on a Moreda single to tie the game at three runs apiece. Postupack followed by tabulating her first RBI of the year when her ground out scored Gonzalez from third.
With momentum growing on the side of the Lions, Webber used three hits with two-outs to put a three-spot on the board in the bottom of the fourth to take a commanding 6-4 lead.
After Webber tacked on another run to make it 7-4, the Lions found themselves with their last regulation at-bats. In the inning, the Lions rallied from three down to tie the game at seven. Postupack, who reached on a muffed throw, came around to score on a Yates sacrifice fly. The Lions pulled one run closer when a Boyd sent a sacrifice fly of her own to centerfield scoring Ashlee Sismilich. Down just one, another Warriors’ fielding miscue allowed Ali Lamb to cross the plate to tie the game at seven, eventually forcing extra innings.
In extra’s, Saint Leo punched through with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Gonzalez scored Amber Martyn from second with a base hit, while Moreda’s sacrifice bunt allowed Gonzalez to score and give Saint Leo the eventual 9-8 extra-innings victory. Megan Still concluded the game as the pitcher of record and improved to 1-1.
Game two was the exact opposite. Still, it was the Warriors who opened scoring as they collected a run on two hits in the second.
As they have all weekend, the Lions responded with a threat of their own Yates and Boyd roped back-to-back RBI base hits to take a 2-1 lead.
With Still on cruise control, the Lions erupted for three runs in the sixth inning. With two outs, Saint Leo used four consecutive singles to plate Castillo, Postupack, and Agen.
The run support was more than enough for Still as she went 5.0 innings, while striking out a season-best nine batters, and scattering four hits to improve to 2-1. In the win, Ashton Whidden posted her first save of 2011 as she threw two innings of relief.
Now, the Lions will have the opportunity to prepare for the West Florida Tournament which is set to begin next Friday, February 11. Saint Leo will open the tournament against Gulf South Conference foe West Florida. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. EST.
Box Score: Game One
Box Score: Game Two
